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Hi All,As I was reading through this forum, I realized that so many pianists and keyboarders wish that their digital piano or keyboard would or could have such and such extra features, functions or technical possibilities.

So I thought, what would my ideal keyboard look like. A lot of models out there have great functions, but none have them have all together in one.

I know that everybody has different needs and wants in what a DP or MK (master keyboard) should perform, sound like, feel like, look like, etc. So it's probably not possible to invent or build one DP or MK to suit everyones needs and wishes. But let's put that aside and 'imagine' it would be possible to have the ultimate machine. One that would blow every other keyboard from the market. A machine that leaves no wishes unfulfilled. Yes, THE UTOPIAN KEYBOARD!!!

You won't find any manufacturer willing to make such a keyboard.Because you really wouldn't WANT such a thing.

You'll have to buy 2:a digital piano and a lite touch synth keyboard with all the sliders.

(ok, and a 3 pedal unit, mixer, stand, chair, computer, etc, etc)

Buying those 2 keyboards will always be cheaper than buyingthis impossible single keyboard.And you'll have 2 keyboards which is more useful than tryingto hit the "switch keyboard weight" button at the right time.

But I can't see the point of going beyond 3 keyboards.That 3rd one being an acoustic piano with perfectly placedbuilt in mics. (A guy can dream, right?)

...And the option to buy the same ideal keyboard in a smaller 7/8 size, for the 50% of the population whose hand span is below average, or have arthritis/tendinitis conditions, that can be exacerbated by keeping the hand stretched too much.

Given that a large part of the classical repertoire is inaccessible or much more difficult to people with small hands: Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev (almost everything he wrote except his children stuff), Bartok (all), Rachmaninoff (all), most Liszt, some Chopin (etudes/concertos), most Schumann. There is even some Bach and Beethoven (the Hammerklavier, the concertos) I can't play properly for having small hands. Things like Scott Joplin's rags (which I don't really care about) are also impossible to play well with small hands.

Given the fact that keyboards of smaller size were available during the times of Beethoven and Chopin, it's nothing short of amazing that piano-makers of today only make keyboards designed to be comfortable for people with giant hands. DPs could easily be made in smaller sizes if only manufacturers would realize how limiting the current size is, and the potential market they would have.

I don't want to deal with any 7/8 size keyboards. Your so called idea is the worst I have read in a while.

Lets keep everything in one size and standardized.

Originally Posted By: KataiYubi

Put my name on the list to order one like this ;-) ...

...And the option to buy the same ideal keyboard in a smaller 7/8 size, for the 50% of the population whose hand span is below average, or have arthritis/tendinitis conditions, that can be exacerbated by keeping the hand stretched too much.

Given that a large part of the classical repertoire is inaccessible or much more difficult to people with small hands: Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev (almost everything he wrote except his children stuff), Bartok (all), Rachmaninoff (all), most Liszt, some Chopin (etudes/concertos), most Schumann. There is even some Bach and Beethoven (the Hammerklavier, the concertos) I can't play properly for having small hands. Things like Scott Joplin's rags (which I don't really care about) are also impossible to play well with small hands.

Given the fact that keyboards of smaller size were available during the times of Beethoven and Chopin, it's nothing short of amazing that piano-makers of today only make keyboards designed to be comfortable for people with giant hands. DPs could easily be made in smaller sizes if only manufacturers would realize how limiting the current size is, and the potential market they would have.

We'll people weren't that big in that time area as they are now either - so most probably smaller hands too. Weird that they didn't come up with smaller size keys right away then. Either they couldn't make it , or something else must have been the reason. Interesting...

Key size has increased trough times until late 19th century, when the actual size standardized. Harpsichord keys are quite small comparing to modern pianos keys. Even Chopin's last piano's keys (built around 1847) are a little smaller than current ones. Schumann's toccata is now a complete challenge even for average, not small hands with those 9ths and 10ths. It was maybe easier to play on the keyboard Schumann had on that time. Modern pianos make new difficulties in order to play other centuries music, the actions are also heavier and the depth of the key is larger (generally speaking, there are lots of different pianos and we all know the marvels a good technician can do). But the human been can adapt to whatever the circumstances, and piano is not an exception.

Prokofiev had big hands, and his music was also intended to be played by big hands virtuosi such as Richter or Gilels. Nevertheless his music can be played very well by not big handed pianists such as Ashkenazy (I'm recalling his 7th sonata...).

Josef Hoffman had tiny hands and that wasn't an obstacle for him to play some of the most difficult piano music. It is true that on his late years Steinway built an special small keys piano for him but during several decades, the peak of his career, he played and recorded on regular size pianos.

Hi All,I know that everybody has different needs and wants in what a DP or MK (master keyboard) should perform, sound like, feel like, look like, etc. So it's probably not possible to invent or build one DP or MK to suit everyones needs and wishes. But let's put that aside and 'imagine' it would be possible to have the ultimate machine. One that would blow every other keyboard from the market. A machine that leaves no wishes unfulfilled. Yes, THE UTOPIAN KEYBOARD!!!

With today's technology, I'd say it's not sensible to have hammers and weights that mechanically engage and disengage. It's hard enough to design just a single-use action that feels good. ;-)

Originally Posted By: Stephen Hazel

You'll have to buy 2:a digital piano and a lite touch synth keyboard with all the sliders.

I wish I could even buy a combination of two that I'm completely happy with. I keep changing what I gig with, there are always compromises. I'm optimistic about the PX-5S as a lightweight 88 with a quality action. For the second tier, I really want a 73+ key organ/synth action with aftertouch and drawbar controls that weighs under 25 lbs, and it's hard to find, even if you're willing to add the drawbars separately (Ocean Beach Digital makes a nice add-on). The Nord Stage 2-73 comes close, but it has the wrong 73+ keys, it doesn't include the low E, which makes it poorly suited for LH bass. The Numa Organ, Roland Jupiter 50, and Krome 73 don't have aftertouch. I'm thinking about some old stuff, Korg TR-76 or Studiologic VMK-88 Plus, with external sound modules